Номер 2, страница 34 - гдз по английскому языку 8 класс (starlight) учебник Баранова, Дули

2 Read the title and the introduction of the text. What do you think Joanne Massey's life is like?

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rule, long, time warp, era, values, cherish, time capsule, retro décor, second-hand, vintage, authentic, lipstick, tight, convention, trilby hat, bland, make do, mend, throwaway fashion, pension, distressing, admit, conveniences, out of sight, spoil, in retreat from, violence, greed, materialism, shudder

Living in a time warp

Life in the 21st century is fast-paced and ruled by mobile phones, the Internet and gadgets, so it’s easy to understand why some people long to go back to the simpler times of the past. Meet Joanne Massey who is living in a 1950s time warp!

The 1950s were an era of colourful homes, clothes and accessories, black and white TVs, rock and roll music and traditional values. Joanne Massey, from Birmingham, England, not only cherishes these times, but has also chosen to live as people did back then! Her home is just like a 1950s time capsule with retro décor and second-hand vintage appliances. Her cooker, which she bought from a farmer for £32, her radio, bright pink telephone, and metal kitchen units are all authentic 1950s appliances. Joanne also loves 1950s fashion and never leaves the house without her 50’s-style bright lipstick on. “I only ever wear 1950s clothing, such as tight pencil skirts, with a white blouse and a wide belt,” she says.

While Joanne’s husband Kevin (whom she met at a convention for 50s fans) has to wear modern clothes for work, he too likes to relax in a stylish suit and trilby hat at the weekends. Joanne and Kevin can also be seen driving around in a 45-year-old Ford Anglia! But why do Joanne and Kevin live this way?

“I feel I was born in the wrong time,” says Joanne. “When I was young I’d watch all the old singing stars in the cinema and dream that I could be like that one day. Everything modern just seems bland in comparison.” Joanne says that she also really respects the values of the 50s, the “make do and mend” attitude that is so different from our age of throwaway fashion and ever-changing technology. “I do think the 50s were happier times,” she says. “Everyone knew everyone else and they all looked after each other.” Joanne tries hard to bring this spirit into the 21st century; she bakes cakes for friends and does shopping and collects pensions for elderly neighbours. Joanne also can’t stand shopping in supermarkets and she doesn’t read newspapers as she finds them too distressing.

While Joanne says she’s happy to be a traditional 50s housewife, she doesn’t spend all day at home baking biscuits. She has a successful singing career touring the UK as a 1940s-style singer called Lola Lamour and she writes a blog giving 40s and 50s-style shopping and cleaning tips! She admits to owning some 21st century conveniences, too, though. Joanne and Kevin have a laptop, a microwave, a DVD player and a washing machine, although Joanne tries to keep all these things out of sight so that they don’t spoil the 1950s feel. Even the modern TV is hidden inside a 1950s cabinet and they only watch things like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and Poirot!

“I admit I am in retreat from the 21st century,” Joanne says. “When I look at the reality of the world today, with all the violence, greed and materialism, I shudder. I don’t want to live in that world. Living like this makes me happier.”

2 Read the title and the introduction of the text. What do you think Joanne Massey's life is like?

Listen and read the text to find out.

Check these words

rule, long, time warp, era, values, cherish, time capsule, retro décor, second-hand, vintage, authentic, lipstick, tight, convention, trilby hat, bland, make do, mend, throwaway fashion, pension, distressing, admit, conveniences, out of sight, spoil, in retreat from, violence, greed, materialism, shudder